Air fryers are a great addition to your kitchen. Not only are they a healthy alternative to enjoy eating fried food with fewer calories, it is also hassle-free and lowers risk of getting burnt, or having a fire. This kitchen appliance also uses less oil so they are better for you and budget-friendly.

Choosing the correct air fryer can be tricky, however,so here are 5 things to look for in the air fryer you are planning to purchase.

1. Cost

Air fryers have varying costs specific to the brand they are from and their specifications. Some air fryers can be bought for $25 and some for $300 .Finding an air fryer that meets your budget is something to consider. Before going to buy an appliance you should set a specific amount you are willing to pay. This makes picking an appliance easier because it limits you to the choices available for your budget.

2. Warranty

A very important factor you should be thinking of when buying an air fryer is the warranty provided on the product. Purchasing an air fryer with a longer warranty is better even if the price of it may be slightly higher than another air fryer you are considering to buy. You would not want to buy something and not be able to fix it if anything ever goes wrong with it.

3. Capacity and Usage

Another thing to consider is the capacity of your air fryer. Most air fryers are not made to hold a large amount of food. This is because an air fryer is a countertop appliance so it is designed to not take up much space. You should never overcrowd your air fryer because it will cause uneven cooking. It’s also a good idea to do some research to get such details, and a good place to start is at kitchenitemsreview. You also need to make sure that you pick an air fryer that you can easily use. There is no point in getting an appliance with many buttons that you do not even know how to utilize. Getting something with a simple design does not mean it is not high quality.

4. Cleaning

Keep in mind that after using your air fryer, you will obviously have to clean it. Getting an air fryer that is easy to clean from both the exterior and interior will make your usage smoother. The more nooks and crannies your air fryer has, the harder time you will be having trying to clean it thoroughly.

5. Time

Air fryers take less time than deep frying does. You should be aware that you need to preheat your air fryer before using it. Buying an air fryer that takes less prep time and less cooking time is what you are looking for. Moreover, keep in mind that the more capacity you have, the less time the appliance will be taking overall, especially if you are cooking in batches.

Why do you need a high quality air fryer?

Getting an air fryer is a great way to decrease the oil you are using in food and still maintain that crunch deep frying food gives you. Getting one that is great in quality will ensure that it stays in good shape for a long time. It also saves you the hassle of replacing or fixing a low-quality one every few months.

Even though you might be able to get a great meal in a nice restaurant, you might already know that some of the best food comes from food trucks. You might have experienced some great food truck food in the past, but you could be wondering, “How can I find the best food trucks near me?”.

If this is true, try these tips and tricks to find food trucks that offer delicious grub.

Keep Your Eyes Open

When you’re on your way home for work or when you’re out and about and running errands, you might tend to head to the same places without paying attention to all of your options. There’s a chance that there is great food right there on your usual commute or right around the corner from your home, and you might not even know it!

It’s important to be open-minded and to keep an eye out for food trucks when you’re traveling around your city. Food trucks can often be found on busy streets, near parks and in other busy areas, but if you keep your eyes out, you might find them in some pretty unexpected places, too.

Get Online

When you’re looking for the perfect restaurant for date night or when you’re looking for food in an unfamiliar city, you might get online and look for restaurants. You might have never looked for food trucks near me online, though. You might think that it’s useless to do so, but this is not the case at all.

More and more food truck owners are beginning to advertise their food trucks online, so you may be able to find great food trucks by checking out social media or performing a quick search engine search. There are even entire websites and apps that are dedicated to spreading the word about some of the best food trucks, so check them out to find out where to get great food in your city.

Ask Around

You probably are not the only person in your social circle who loves food truck food. Food trucks are more popular now than ever, so you might know a lot of people who enjoy food truck food all the time. Consider asking your friends if they have had any good food truck food lately or if they know about any local food trucks or stands that serve a certain type of food that you have been craving. Along with getting some good recommendations, you might also find that a friend or two will want to tag along to grab some food truck food with you.

Finding the best food trucks can be tough, but it’s certainly not impossible. If you’re willing to shake things up and put a little bit of work into it, you can find food trucks in your area that you have never tried before. In no time, you’re sure to be sampling some of the best food that your city has to offer, even if you aren’t eating it in a fancy environment.

We all love that smoky, savory goodness wafting from the backyard in the summer. Needless to say, grilling brings about a taste and aroma that you can never achieve with other cooking methods, and there’s just something so primal about cooking food over the blazing charcoal. While most of us think that grilling is as simple as throwing a slab of meat over the heated grates, there are some lesser-known secrets to grilling everything perfectly.

Picking the Right MeatThe first step to ensure grilling success is choosing the right meat. You want that perfectly marbled steak and opt for chicken breasts over other chicken parts. Fresh salmon and seafood make a lot of taste difference over grilling stale ones.

Using the Right Grilling EquipmentYou can use a gas grill, charcoal grill, electric grill, or some of the best pellet smokers on the market depending on your grilling needs.

Aside from the grilling equipment, you also want to make sure that the grates are clean before you use them and you have a meat thermometer to guide you in achieving the proper temperature for cooking the meat thoroughly and killing bacteria. For food safety reasons, steaks should be cooked at a minimum of 140 °F regardless of preferred doneness, chicken at least 165 °F, and lamb and pork at least 145 °F.

How to Grill Every Type of MeatGiven that you’ve picked the best piece of meat and your grill is all clean and ready to use, you can now start grilling almost everything to perfection, without breaking a sweat.

SteakThe secret to getting that eye-catching brown grill marks is to sear any type of steak before it hits the grates. When searing, make sure to place the steak over high heat and let it render a nice brown crust before you actually grill it. Cook the steak over direct heat, cooking 5 minutes each side and flipping only once. When cooked to desired doneness, transfer the steak to a cutting board and let rest for a while. Cut against the grain or serve whole – it’s your choice.

ChickenIf done right, grilled chicken should turn out succulent with a delicious smoked twist. If done wrong, you’ll end up with chicken that’s dry and tough. The best chicken parts to grill are the breasts. Here’s how you can do it:

Flip them halfway through the cooking time and baste with marinade or sauce 10 minutes before grilling is over.

BurgerBurgers are quintessential things to grill. Grilling the perfect burger begins with the preparation. First, you don’t want to add anything to the patties because you want their natural flavors to come out. Next, you want to mix the patties with a fork instead of using your hands, so they don’t get too overworked. Grill the patties over direct heat for at least 3 minutes each side. Be careful not to press down on them, though, as you grill or you’ll lose all those delicious juices along the way.

FishGrilled fish can seem daunting because a lot of things can go wrong. They’re easy to overcook, and the meat is prone to falling apart when you attempt to flip it over. To stay away from these disasters, you need to make sure that the grates are clean and well oiled when you grill some fish. And when it’s time to flip, use the spatula to adequately handle the fish from underneath and successfully flip it over without the meat falling apart.

It all starts with a dry brine. Sprinkle salt all over the chops and let sit for at least an hour, allowing the meat to absorb the salt and consequently keeping its interior moist.

Next, sear the chops as you would sear a steak to get that nice brown crust.

You can then grill them over direct heat with the lid closed at 145 °F for medium well and at 170 °F for well done.

Each side needs at least 5–8 minutes to grill before flipping over.

Once done, you can serve the pork chops as is or add a layer or two of your favorite sauce or rub.

TakeawayGrilling can sometimes get daunting. There’s the apprehension of burning the meat or getting it too dried out that it has lost all its flavor. You may also worry about achieving the correct doneness. But sometimes, the simpler the steps, the better the results. Don’t try to overcomplicate the grilling process and your meat should come out perfectly grilled.

Now, heat up the grill and take out your favorite beer or wine. You’re about to become a grillmaster!

Even though you might be able to get a great meal in a nice restaurant, you might already know that some of the best food comes from food trucks. You might have experienced some great food truck food in the past, but you could be wondering, “How can I find the best food trucks near me?”.

If this is true, try these tips and tricks to find food trucks that offer delicious grub.

Keep Your Eyes Open

When you’re on your way home for work or when you’re out and about and running errands, you might tend to head to the same places without paying attention to all of your options. There’s a chance that there is great food right there on your usual commute or right around the corner from your home, and you might not even know it!

It’s important to be open-minded and to keep an eye out for food trucks when you’re traveling around your city. Food trucks can often be found on busy streets, near parks and in other busy areas, but if you keep your eyes out, you might find them in some pretty unexpected places, too.

Get Online

When you’re looking for the perfect restaurant for date night or when you’re looking for food in an unfamiliar city, you might get online and look for restaurants. You might have never looked for food trucks near me online, though. You might think that it’s useless to do so, but this is not the case at all.

More and more food truck owners are beginning to advertise their food trucks online, so you may be able to find great food trucks by checking out social media or performing a quick search engine search. There are even entire websites and apps that are dedicated to spreading the word about some of the best food trucks, so check them out to find out where to get great food in your city.

Ask Around

You probably are not the only person in your social circle who loves food truck food. Food trucks are more popular now than ever, so you might know a lot of people who enjoy food truck food all the time. Consider asking your friends if they have had any good food truck food lately or if they know about any local food trucks or stands that serve a certain type of food that you have been craving. Along with getting some good recommendations, you might also find that a friend or two will want to tag along to grab some food truck food with you.

Finding the best food trucks can be tough, but it’s certainly not impossible. If you’re willing to shake things up and put a little bit of work into it, you can find food trucks in your area that you have never tried before. In no time, you’re sure to be sampling some of the best food that your city has to offer, even if you aren’t eating it in a fancy environment.

Even though you might be able to get a great meal in a nice restaurant, you might already know that some of the best food comes from food trucks. You might have experienced some great food truck food in the past, but you could be wondering, “How can I find the best food trucks near me?”.

If this is true, try these tips and tricks to find food trucks that offer delicious grub.

Keep Your Eyes Open

When you’re on your way home for work or when you’re out and about and running errands, you might tend to head to the same places without paying attention to all of your options. There’s a chance that there is great food right there on your usual commute or right around the corner from your home, and you might not even know it!

It’s important to be open-minded and to keep an eye out for food trucks when you’re traveling around your city. Food trucks can often be found on busy streets, near parks and in other busy areas, but if you keep your eyes out, you might find them in some pretty unexpected places, too.

Get Online

When you’re looking for the perfect restaurant for date night or when you’re looking for food in an unfamiliar city, you might get online and look for restaurants. You might have never looked for food trucks near me online, though. You might think that it’s useless to do so, but this is not the case at all.

More and more food truck owners are beginning to advertise their food trucks online, so you may be able to find great food trucks by checking out social media or performing a quick search engine search. There are even entire websites and apps that are dedicated to spreading the word about some of the best food trucks, so check them out to find out where to get great food in your city.

Ask Around

You probably are not the only person in your social circle who loves food truck food. Food trucks are more popular now than ever, so you might know a lot of people who enjoy food truck food all the time. Consider asking your friends if they have had any good food truck food lately or if they know about any local food trucks or stands that serve a certain type of food that you have been craving. Along with getting some good recommendations, you might also find that a friend or two will want to tag along to grab some food truck food with you.

Finding the best food trucks can be tough, but it’s certainly not impossible. If you’re willing to shake things up and put a little bit of work into it, you can find food trucks in your area that you have never tried before. In no time, you’re sure to be sampling some of the best food that your city has to offer, even if you aren’t eating it in a fancy environment.

A portable grill is an important component for any home as it provides convenient cooking options for outdoor events. Whether it is a camping trip, tailgating, a cookout at the park or even on the beach, a portable grill provides great options for freshly made, delicious meals that are going to add to the experience. The small size and simple structure of these grills enable one to carry them easily to whatever location they are needed without much effort. This Portable Grill Buying Guide is intended to help you identify the features that you should focus on when purchasing your next one to give you the utmost experience.Heating OptionsPrimarily, portable grills can be divided into two groups according to their heating options. The first group is gas fueled grills which are favored for the instant and clean heat they provide. They are also easier to clean and usually cook faster. The other group is charcoal powered which is favored for the smoky flavor that it gives the food. It is also easier to find combustible material to burn in this type of grill.Portability OptionsAccording to the different requirements for portability, you may need different portable grills. At this point, you factor in such things as the weight of the portable grill that is best suited for you. This can be determined by whether your venues are accessible by vehicle or by foot. If it is by foot, you definitely need a lightweight grill that is easy to carry around. Some options to consider in this regard are whether to buy a tabletop grill or cart style one. Tabletop grills are light and have to be carried by hand while cart style ones have wheels that can be used to drag them on the ground.Cooking Surface AreaThe amount of space needed for the grilling surface is another important factor when choosing a portable grill. According to the number of people you usually accommodate on your camping and grilling trips, you can decide on how big or small your grill should be. It is important to have a grill with sufficient grilling space to avoid spending hours waiting for one meal to cook before cooking the other.Quality of the MaterialOther than size, you should also consider the quality of the cooking surface and grill in general. Portable grills should be resilient to the outdoor effects since they shall be out there for extended periods, sometimes even without proper cleaning. In this regard, cast iron and stainless steel are good options for your portable grill due to their durability.In selecting a portable grill, there are various factors to consider, as has been highlighted in this guide. These factors vary depending on your specific usage, but this article has given an overview of what you should put on your checklist when purchasing your next grill. By following this guide, you shall select a grill that shall be suitable for your needs and that shall serve your needs for a long time to come.

As any American BBQ lover will know, here in the States we’ve developed a few methods to prepare and grill food, which vary in quality and results. If you thought barbecuing was mostly about firing up a grill and cooking some meat and veg over charcoal, think again! The BBQ is serious business in America, so we’ve prepared a primer on the different styles you can expect to taste based on each (loosely-defined) region of: Kansas, Texas, Carolina, Alabama and, of course, Memphis.

As a side note, for reasons better explained by poker legend and Memphis BBQ devotee Chris Moneymaker, we won’t be including Nashville in this guide because “Nashville has no BBQ… they just copy Memphis.” However, it should be pointed out that some BBQ purists do consider Tennessee’s capital city to have its own style.

Kansas City BBQ

Kansas City is a known hub for meatpacking, and a typical Kansas grill reflects this by cooking any and all kinds of meats. Kansas-style BBQ grilling is done for a long time over a low heat, preferably with hickory wood instead of charcoal. Sauces are thick and sweet and are usually made with tomato and molasses to ensure they stick well to ribs and cuts during the long grilling process.

Signature Kansas City BBQ dish: Sticky ribs.

Central Texas BBQ

When it comes to BBQ in Central Texas, meat is king and sauces take a backseat. This grilling style is influenced by the German and Czech immigrants who laid down roots in the area and usually focuses on brisket and ribs smoked over oak or pecan.

Signature Central Texas BBQ dish: Smoked brisket.

East Texas BBQ

If you love beef on the grill, you’ll love the East Texas BBQ style. Beef and pork are treated equally and are served chopped in a bun with heaps of hot sauce. East Texas BBQ shares a lot more in common with southern styles than that of Central Texas.

Signature East Texas BBQ dish: Pulled beef and hot sauce.

Carolina BBQ

Although there are some distinctions between North Carolina and South Carolina BBQ styles, both sides of the state use vinegar as a key ingredient for sauces and prefer pork over other meats. In North Carolina, meats are brushed with spice and vinegar prior to cooking, but down in The South they prefer to use brown sugar, mustard and vinegar. West Carolina BBQ stands out for its vinegar and ketchup combination, which can also be found in Lexington—hence the famous “Lexington Dip.”

Signature Carolina BBQ Dish: Pork shoulder (North), Ham (South).

Alabama BBQ

Influenced by both Texas and Carolina styles, a classic Alabama BBQ serves up pulled pork or chicken sandwiches with coleslaw. One of the most distinctive elements of the Alabama way of grilling is the prevalence of white sauce, a vinegar and mayonnaise combination that you can find at grills all over the state.

The Memphis style is the most recognisable throughout all Tennessee, and many grill fans claim it to be the top way to cook meats. In Memphis style, meats (usually pork ribs or shoulder) are cooked either “dry” or “wet”; dry ribs are covered in a rub of herbs and spices and smoked, while wet ribs are basted and served in a classic, tomato-based barbeque sauce. You can also expect to see other foods on the grill in a Memphis BBQ, including nachos, pizza, and even pasta.

Signature Memphis BBQ dish: Pulled pork.

Yes, you’ll even find pizza on a Memphis grill

Honourable Mention: Florida

Ok, so Florida might not have its own unique mop (meat sauce), but this melting pot of grilling styles (influenced by Caribbean and South American techniques) does produce some delicious results. You’ll find chicken, local fish and beef ribs on a Florida grill, which are doused in citrus juice and typically smoked slowly over pine chips.

There are very few things that come close to providing us with the same level of enjoyment as eating a piece of home cooked smoked meat and washing it down with a tall, chilled glass of beer. It is nothing short of solid evidence emphasizing that what matters most in life are the little things.

Granted, food is not everything, and there are some who might not even be convinced that beer is a good match for smoked meat; yet, this article begs to differ. In fact, you will get to see that in this argument, even science is on our side.

Ladies and Gentlemen, wear your aprons.

The Process

Even before they meet at the dinner table, beer and barbecued meat prove to be cupid’s most successful shot. There is just so much in common between the two.

If you have basic knowledge of the principles of smoking meat, then you probably know that smoking is a long process that can never be rushed. It is what gives meat its flavor, color and quality.

Beer is no different. The fermentation process takes time and rushing it will only ruin the taste of the final product. Like meat, the fermentation process of beer determines the alcoholic content of the beer, its flavor and texture.

Anyone with a bit of appreciation for culinary arts would find an instant connection between the two extremely lengthy but worthwhile preparation processes.

The Reputation

Nothing says all-American like barbecued meats; ribs, steak, brisket, pulled pork and the list goes on. If in doubt, try to recall what you ate on the last fourth of July. Now, guess what happens to be America’s favorite drink? Yeah, you’re correct It’s beer.

When people think about winding down after a long week, they think of relaxing on a couch with a beer in hand, watching television. While barbecue is regarded as comfort food. So, as you can see, both items are associated in a person’s mind with comfort and relaxation; incorporating them together wouldn’t be such a bad idea.

The Science

Other than the fact that beer keeps your mouth wet throughout a large meal and that drinking beer has proven to be a booster of sexual activity, science seems to be heavily backing up the relationship between beer and meat.

Several researches show that the fats within the meat tend to dissolve in alcohol so, not only can beer offer a balance between the savory flavor of your meat and its own tangy, slightly sweet flavor, but also it works as an ingredient for a marinade. Mostly due to the fact that it tenderizes the meat and makes it juicier in the process.

Dinner is served

Before you make your way through your steak, remember that a great barbecue starts with a great grill. So, I would suggest that you pay a visitExchange Bar & Grill; they offer a wide variety of grills that is guaranteed to make your next barbecue a big hit and it will be something to remember.

Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Nothing Beats Smoked Meat and a Glass of Beer

Mangoes contain 20+ vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and C to help your skin glow and antioxidant properties to fight cancer. Incorporating them into your barbeque is a great way to consume more of them to reap the health benefits they offer. Cutting mangoes into cubes and putting them onto skewers with some sweet onion and bell peppers make a great combination. Add some teriyaki sauce and cook on the barbeque for 2-3 minutes on each side and these will be ready to eat. These skewers are ideal for the 8 million vegetarians in the US, but are mouth wateringly delicious, so meat eaters will enjoy them too.

Prosciutto Peaches

Wrapping juicy peaches in prosciutto makes a scrumptious appetizer or side dish. To prepare, quarter your peaches and remove the stone and slice the prosciutto in half lengthways. Wrap the prosciutto around the peaches and hold it in place with a little oil. Place these on your barbeque grill and cook until each side is crispy, about 10 minutes. These are versatile and can be eaten as they are, in a salad or with a scoop of ice cream. Peaches offer many vitamins too, including potassium, which your body uses to aid digestion, reduce blood pressure and regulate your heart.

Barbequed Jerk Plantains

Plantains are a staple Caribbean food and with all the Caribbean islands being known for their love of barbeques this is fruit that has been tried and tested for being cooked this way. These are similar to a banana but a little less sweet and starchier, so they can be prepared as a sweet or savory dish. Jerk plantains are a savory side dish that go well with jerk chicken and rice. Start off by running a knife down the skin, being careful not to cut the flesh of the fruit and remove it. Slice lengthways in half and coat in a jerk sauce to give a real Caribbean taste. Put these on the grill for 4-6 minutes on each side, until you can see grill marks, and serve warm as a flavorful side dish.

Barbequed fruit is underrated and should always be including in any barbeque event, whether it’s a dessert at your 4th of July get together or a sweet starter on Father’s Day. The fruit will offer tons of vitamins and minerals that barbeques often leave out and will be a welcome addition that is fresh and flavorful. Once you try barbequed fruit it will become a staple every time you take to the outdoors for cooking.

Posted inUncategorized|Comments Off on Barbequing Fruit: Why Everyone Should Be Doing It